"HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES"

Presented by the Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust, supported by Venues Ōtautahi.

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THE CONCERT

The Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust, with support from Venues Otautahi present Martin's annual organ curator's concert on the magnificent pipe organ in the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium at the Christchurch Town Hall. It is a special one this year as it marks several anniversaries, hence the title.

Most importantly, it's 25 years since the Rieger organ was first opened after completion in May 1997.

It's being held on Queen's Birthday Monday, also celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum jubilee; in February this year, she became the first British monarch to complete 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Martin will include a special organ arrangement of Handel's famous Coronation Anthem "Zadok the Priest".

The great French composer Céesar Franck was born 200 years ago in 1822, so the programme will also include Franck's most popular work, the Chorale No 3 in A minor and his Cantabile in B major.

Finally, the concert will also mark Martin's 25th year of service to Christchurch as its Town Hall organ curator. Lots to celebrate!

As in previous years, admission will be FREE, with a koha donation requested. Tickets must be booked here online in advance!

If a limit on attendance were to be reimposed before then, it will have to be first come, first served basis.

Admission without pre-booked ticket on the day will only be possible if there are any seats left!

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THE ORGAN

The pipe organ in the Christchurch Town Hall was installed in May 1997 by Rieger of Austria, 25 years after the hall opened in 1972. About 96% of the cost came from public donations and bequests, so this is truly the people’s organ. In early 2011, 12 new ranks of pipes were being installed by Rieger when the devastating earthquake struck. The organ was silenced for eight years while the building was repaired, but fortunately, it had suffered only minor damage and was fully restored by Rieger between November 2018 and January 2019. Now with a total of 4307 pipes, it was reopened by Mayor Lianne Dalziel on 6 March, 2019.

The organ’s website: www.nzorgan.com

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THE ORGANIST

Christchurch city organist Martin Setchell has served as Town Hall organ curator since the Rieger pipe organ was opened in May 1997, performing an annual concert until 2010. Post-earthquakes, he worked tirelessly to preserve this iconic instrument, overseeing its restoration, and gave the first concerts when the organ was officially re-opened on 6 March, 2019.

He has also given numerous re-opening concerts on new city church organs including the Transitional Cathedral, St Paul’s Papanui, Knox Presbyterian, Oxford Terrace Baptist, and All Souls Merivale.

Recently called ‘New Zealand’s most widely-travelled concert organist’ he is an international performer who believes in promoting entertaining organ music to a wide audience. In the last 20 years he has performed in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China,Japan, and throughout New Zealand.

Born and educated in England where he was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists, he studied at various times with Pierre Cochereau, Marie-Claire Alain, Piet Kee, and Peter Hurford. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1974 on his appointment to the University of Canterbury. After 40 years’ service, he resigned as Associate Professor of Music in 2014 in order to pursue his international performing career full-time, but continues to serve as University graduation organist. In 2008 he received a Civic Award for services to music in the community and the Town Hall organ. He has recorded 6 CDs on the Town Hall organ: Let the pealing organ blow, Bonbons for organ 1 & 2, Pink and White (an anthology of New Zealand organ music), Great Australasian Organs VII, and Resounding Aftershocks (2019 - the first recording on the restored and enhanced organ).

Martin’s website: www.organist.co.nz